ONE YEAR MAKE UP FREE

I can’t remember my exact motivation for ditching make up this time last year. I think, like many things, it might have been an accumulation of circumstantial reasons that has since faded beyond memory, but I recall that it was a distinct decision.

It followed a holiday, during which I never bothered to touch my make up bag, and I expect concerns around money, or lack thereof, may have been a contributing factor.

What I do know though, is that it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Going make up free can certainly be intimidating. I spent years believing that covering my uneven skin tone and disguising my dark eye circles was the best way to be acceptable for society. I wasn’t comfortable leaving the house without make up, and while I wasn’t ever particularly experimental, I made sure to never run out of my essentials.

One year since ditching the coverage, there are quite a few things that I’ve learnt.

The first is that no one actually noticed. No one questioned why I looked different or asked if I was tired. No one made any comments at all, they just interacted with me in the same way they always did.

Another thing I’ve learnt is that my face is wonderful, just the way it is. I’m lucky not to have experienced skin conditions, or acne or any of the other things that people can have difficulties with, but I never used to be comfortable with my uneven skin tone and chicken pox scars. Now, though, I’m embracing it all. I love the freckles on my forehead that I never realised I had, and I’m in awe of the way my eyes can show me I’m getting under the weather before I really start to feel it. I am amazing, just the way I am.

It takes a little time to learn that, a few days of feeling bare and exposed, wondering if people are secretly judging you, but once you get comfortable, the confidence you can gain is a game-changer.

One of my absolute favourite things about being make up free is all of the time that I’ve saved! Getting up in the morning and not having to dedicate a chunk of my routine to applying my face has been a life-saver. I’ve slept more, knit more, exercised more and worked more. I’ve been able to dash out for impromptu meetings at the drop of a hat, and not had to worry about overnight trips. It’s been a blessing!

The biggest difference though, and the thing that has made my life infinitely easier, is not having to take my make up off before bed. Seriously, it’s been so good! I’d always find myself at night, sitting on the edge of my bed, sighing in exasperation that, yet again, I’d forgotten to remove my make up. Not anymore though! Now I can breeze through the night time routine and be all tucked up before I even know it, and I love it!

I think my decision to go make up free may have been the first hint of my journey towards minimalism. I’m not yet sure that I’d call myself a minimalist, but I’ve definitely developed some minimalist tenancies and I’m constantly learning more. It’s something that I think I’d like to write about more, and to share my experiences of as I go along in my journey, so keep your eyes peeled here if you’re interested in coming along!